Men’s college golf notebook: Garrison Smith sets New Mexico State record, Texas Tech captures Big 12 match play

Here’s what you missed in the men’s college golf world.

It’s safe to say it was a good week for Garrison Smith and the New Mexico State men’s golf team.

The Aggies won the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate for the third straight season, cruising to a 20-shot victory over second-place Seattle University and Weber State.

Smith, a senior, ran away with the individual title, shooting a 15-under 198 at University Golf Course in Las Crusas, New Mexico. The 198 total is the lowest 54-hole score in New Mexico State history. This season, Smith has yet to finish worse than third place. He has recorded two third-place finishes to go along with his victory. He had only two bogeys en route to his win.

New Mexico State was the only team to shoot below par, finishing at 20 under. California Baptist came in fourth, one shot behind Seattle University and Weber State, and Western New Mexico placed fifth at 12 over.

In the individual competition, Texas A&M Commerce’s Nathan McCulloch placed second at 8 under. Texas Tech’s Gustav Andersson placed third at 4 under, along with New Mexico State’s Aiden Thomas. Weber State’s Cameron Gray rounded out the top five, finishing at 3 under.

Texas Tech captures Big 12 Match Play

Ludvig Abert and Calum Scott have been terrific for Texas Tech this fall. That’s why it’s no surprise when the Red Raiders needed their duo to step up in the Big 12 match play final against Oklahoma, they did just that.

Aberg and Scott secured the final 1.5 points, as Texas Tech topped the Sooners 3.5-2.5 in the championship match at The Club at Houston Oaks in Houston to win for the second time this fall. Aberg birdied the 18th hole to put the Red Raiders up 3-2, and Scott followed that up with a big par putt to halve the 18th and earn the half point, securing the victory for Texas Tech.

Jack Wall had a 4 and 3 victory to get a point for the Red Raiders earlier in the match. Texas Tech beat defending national champion Texas earlier in the day to advance to the championship match, while the Sooners defeated in-state rival Oklahoma State. The Cowboys fell against TCU in the third-place match.

Oklahoma gets $5 million donation to renovate practice facilities

Speaking of the Sooners, their practice facilities are about to receive a big facelift.

Oklahoma announced a $5 million gift from longtime golf supporter Jerry Ransom that will support the modernization of the existing Charlie Coe Center and the creation of a new indoor golf performance center.

The upcoming facility improvements to the Charlie Coe Center will result in a renovated clubhouse that includes suites for both men’s and women’s programs and a multi-purpose area that will showcase each program’s history. Each suite will feature a locker room, a players lounge, coaches offices and a rest-and-recovery space.

In addition to these improvements, the gift will create a indoor performance center. The center will include six hitting bays equipped with world-class swing analysis technology, a putting studio, putting lab, a golf simulator and conference rooms for team instruction.

Winner of The Clerico will get exemption into Korn Ferry Tour event

Win a college event, get an exemption into a Korn Ferry Tour event.

The individual champion of next week’s The Clerico at The Oaks Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will also earn an exemption into one of the newest Korn Ferry Tour’s events, the Compliance Solutions Championship at Jimmie Austin Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma.

The teams competing are Missouri State, New Mexico State, Oral Roberts, Rice, Southern Utah, Stephen F. Austin State, Texas State, University of Missouri Kansas City, Northern Iowa, South Alabama, UTSA, and Utah State. Individuals from Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will compete, too. Next week’s champion will be included in the 156-player field on June 22-25, 2023.

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Michigan State Football earns commitment from 5-star K/P Garrison Smith

Michigan State has landed a commitment from 5-star K/P Garrison Smith. Smith is the first kicker or punter to be recruited by Mel Tucker.

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A signing week surprise came on Saturday for Mel Tucker and his staff, earning the commitment from 5-star kicker and punter Garrison Smith. Smith is a native of Norwalk, Ohio.

Smith will be coming to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on and will have a chance to earn the scholarship Matt Coghlin will leave behind after next season.

 

Smith is ranked as the no. 13 punter in the nation and no. 19 kicker by the Kohl’s Kicking Camps rating system, both giving him 5-star status in their rankings. Smith is also ranked by the Kornblue Kicking system which favors him more, ranking him as a 5-star and the no. 7 kicker in the nation.

Kohl’s and Kornblue are two of the biggest recruiting services that specialize in ranking specialists (kickers, punters and long snappers).

It is yet to be known if Smith will be on campus as a kicker or a punter, but nonetheless will be a welcomed addition to the Spartan family.

Michigan State has had problems at the punter position ever since Jake Hartbarger graduated and will need to replace senior Matt Coghlin after the 2021 season.

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2020 CFB countdown: 56 days until Georgia football

Join us as we countdown the days until Georgia football!

There are 56 days until Georgia is scheduled to kick off versus Virginia on Sept. 7 in Atlanta.

Former Georgia defensive end, No. 56, Garrison Smith (2010-2013) was a part of Georgia’s 2012 SEC title run, totaling 57 tackles and one sack. He also finished third on the team in tackling in his senior season in 2013 when he totaled 67 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 6 sacks.

Smith went undrafted in 2014, but has since spent time with multiple NFL teams and is now currently a free-agent.